JPH02275237A - Control device and control method of air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the air conditioning capability by automatically and quickly resuming the operation upon regaining the power supply after a power stoppage and positively avoid overloading the compressor at the time of starting by storing the operation signal as well as the compressor start and stop signals in a nonvolatile memory means. CONSTITUTION:A writing means 51a writes the operation signal for an air conditioner 1 in a nonvolatile memory means 53d which does not allow the control data to be written in or erased, and a writing means 51b for compressor writes the compressor start signal or compressor stop signal. Upon turning on the power switch after once the power was turned off, a determining means 51c reads the stored data for identification, and, if it retrieves the operation signal and the compressor stop signal from the stored data, an operation control means 51d sets the air conditioner 1 in its operating condition. On the other hand, if the operation signal and the compressor start signal are retrieved, a stand-by operation means 51e holds at least the compressor 11 in the stopped condition for a predetermined time interval and sets the air conditioner 1 in its operating condition while the compressor 11 is started after a certain elapsed time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a control device and a control method for an air conditioner, and particularly relates to measures against power outages.

(Prior Art) In general, various types of control devices for air conditioners have been proposed. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-202041, A ROM, a RAM, etc. are provided in the controller, and a compressor, etc. is controlled by a control signal from the controller, and a remote control controller is connected to the controller,
The controller is equipped with a ROM, a RAM, etc., and is connected to various switches, and controls the air conditioner by transmitting operation signals from the switches to the controller of the air conditioner.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In the above-mentioned control device for an air conditioner, when there is a momentary power outage to the remote control and the air conditioner stops, the operation switch must be turned on each time the air conditioner stops. The air conditioner continues to operate even if there is a momentary power outage.

However, conventionally, when the power supply to an air conditioner is interrupted for a certain period of time, the air conditioner stops operating, and even after the power is restored, it remains stopped unless the operation switch is turned on. In this case, even if air conditioning is possible after the power is restored, there may be cases where the air conditioning is not performed, resulting in a problem of low reliability. In particular, the air conditioner in the computer room operates 24 hours a day, and if it remains stopped even after the power is restored, it will have a serious effect on the calculation function, resulting in a problem of low reliability.

Further, when power is restored after a momentary power outage or the like while the compressor is in operation, if the compressor is driven without pressure equalization in the refrigerant circuit, there is a problem in that overload is applied to the compressor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and by storing an operating signal, it automatically restarts operation after the power is restored, thereby improving the air conditioning function and preventing the compressor from running during a power outage. When in the driving state, the purpose is to compensate for starting the compressor by keeping the compressor in the stopped state for a predetermined period of time and driving it when power is restored.

(Means and effects for solving the problem) In order to achieve the above object, the measures taken by the invention according to claim (1) are:
As shown in FIG. 1, first, an outdoor unit (A) and an indoor unit (B) are provided, and the outdoor unit (A
The present invention is based on a control device for an air conditioner, which controls an air conditioner (1) in which a compressor (11) is provided in an air conditioner (1) in accordance with a control signal from a controller (5).

A nonvolatile storage means (53d) in which control data can be written and erased is provided. Furthermore, the operation signal is stored in the storage means (53) by the operation of the air conditioner (1).
d) and a writing means (51a) for writing to the compressor (11);
) for writing a compressor drive signal into the storage means (53d) when the drive is stopped and a compressor stop signal into the storage means (53d) when the power is turned on; Discrimination means (5) for reading data and discriminating the operating signal, compressor drive signal and compressor stop signal.
1c) is provided. In addition, the determining means (51
When c) derives the operation signal and the compressor stop signal from the data stored in the storage means (53d), the air conditioner (
1) and the determining means (51c) derive an operating signal and a compressor drive signal from the data stored in the storage means (53d), and at least the compressor (11) is operated for a predetermined period of time. A standby operating means (51e) is provided for setting the air conditioner (1) to an operating state so as to maintain the air conditioner (1) in a stopped state and drive it after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Further, the means taken by the invention according to claim (2) includes an outdoor unit (A) and an indoor unit (B), and
The present invention is based on a method of controlling an air conditioner (1) in which the outdoor unit (A) is provided with a compressor (11) using a control signal from a controller (5).

Then, the writing means (51a) writes the operation signal of the air conditioner (1) into the nonvolatile storage means (53d) in which control data can be written and erased. The machine writing means (51b) writes a compressor drive signal or a compressor stop signal by driving or stopping the compressor (11). Then, when the power is turned on after the power is cut off, the determination means (51c) is stored in the storage means (53d).
The operating means (51 d
) sets the air conditioner (1) to the operating state. On the other hand, when the discrimination means (51C) derives the operation signal and the compressor drive signal, the standby operation means (51e) maintains at least the compressor (11) in a stopped state for a predetermined period of time and operates the air conditioner (1). condition, and the compressor (11) is driven after the predetermined time has elapsed.

(Effect of the invention) Therefore, according to the inventions of claims (1) and (2),
By storing the operating signal indicating that the operation is in progress and the drive signal and stop signal of the compressor (11) in the non-volatile storage means (53d), when the power is restored after a power outage, the above-mentioned operating signal and compressor stop signal are stored. If it is memorized, the operation will start automatically, so the air conditioning operation can be restarted quickly, and the air conditioning function can be improved. In particular, in the case of air conditioning in a computer room, operation is stopped only during the power outage period, improving reliability. Furthermore, it is possible to reliably prevent maintenance that is mistaken for malfunction.

In addition, when the power is restored after a power outage while the compressor (11) is being driven, the compressor (11) is left in a stopped state for a predetermined period of time, and the compressor (11) is driven after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. As a result, when the power is restored after a temporary power cut, including a momentary power outage, the compressor (11) will not be driven until the pressure in the refrigerant circuit is equalized. It is possible to reliably prevent loads from acting on the
No overcurrent flows to the motor of the compressor (11), and the air conditioner (1) can be automatically operated while performing startup compensation for the compressor (11).

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a refrigerant piping system of a multi-type air conditioner (1) according to the invention of claims (1) and (21), and (
For example, A) is an outdoor unit installed on the roof of a high-rise building, and (B) is an indoor unit placed indoors such as a computer room in a high-rise building.
B), (B), . . . are connected in parallel to the outdoor unit (A). Inside the outdoor unit (A), there is a compressor (11), an oil separator (12) that separates the gas in the gas discharged from the compressor (11), and a solid line in the figure during heating operation. During cooling operation, the four-way switching valve (13) switches as shown by the broken line in the figure, and the fan (1
4a) and an outdoor heat exchanger (14) that serves as a condenser during cooling operation and an evaporator during heating operation, and a supercooling coil (15).
The main actuators are an outdoor electric expansion valve (16) that adjusts the refrigerant flow rate during cooling operation and throttles the refrigerant during heating operation, a receiver (17) that stores liquefied refrigerant, and an accumulator (18). The actuators (11) to (18)) are connected to each other through refrigerant piping (2) so that refrigerant can flow therethrough. Further, the compressor (11) has an output frequency of 30 to 70H.
A first compressor (11a) whose capacity is adjusted by an inverter (3a) that is variably switched every 10Hz in the range of
) and an unloader (3b) that operates depending on the pilot pressure.
) is connected in parallel via a check valve (2a) to a second compressor (11b) whose capacity is adjusted to two stages: full load (100%) state and unloaded (50%) state. has been done.

On the other hand, the indoor units (B), (B), .
), (4),..., and the indoor heat exchanger (
4), (4),...
1), (21),..., actuator 1
an indoor electric expansion valve (41) that adjusts the flow rate of refrigerant during heating operation and throttles the refrigerant during cooling operation;
(41), . . . are interposed, and the refrigerant branch pipes (21), (21), . It is connected to the refrigerant pipe (2) in (A). In addition, the air conditioner (1) is equipped with many sensors.
(THl) is a temperature sensor placed at the air suction port of each indoor heat exchanger (4) to detect the suction temperature, (TH2) and (TH3) are the liquid side and gas sensors of each indoor heat exchanger (4), respectively. Temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the side pipe (TH4
) is a temperature sensor that detects the discharge pipe temperature of the compressor (11), (TH5) is a temperature sensor that detects the evaporation temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger (14) during heating operation, and (TH6) is a temperature sensor that detects the evaporation temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger (14) during heating operation.
1) Temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the intake gas, (TH7
) is a temperature sensor that detects the outside air temperature near the outdoor heat exchanger (14), and (PS) is a pressure sensor that detects the discharge gas pressure during heating operation and the intake gas pressure during cooling operation.

In addition, in Fig. 2, various auxiliary actuators are provided in addition to the above-mentioned main actuators.
3a) is the bypass circuit (23) of the second compressor (1-1b).
) is an unloader solenoid valve that is "open" when the second compressor (1lb) is stopped and unloaded, and "closed" when it is fully loaded, and is connected to the bypass circuit (23). A capillary tube (23b) is interposed therebetween. (24a) is installed in the pressure equalizing hot gas bypass circuit (24) that connects the refrigerant pipe (2) on the discharge side and the refrigerant pipe (2) on the suction side, and is used during low load during cooling operation and during outdoor heat exchanger operation. (14) This is a hot gas solenoid valve that opens during defrosting operation. Further, (25) is a bypass circuit for heating overload control, and the bypass circuit (25) is a heating overload control bypass circuit.
) includes an auxiliary capacitor (25a) and a first check valve (25a).
5b), a high-pressure control valve (25c) that opens when the refrigerant pressure is high, and a second check valve (25d) are connected in series, and some of them are equipped with a valve to prevent liquid sealing when the operation is stopped. Liquid seal prevention bypass circuits (26) and (27) are branched and connected via a third check valve (26a) and a capillary tube (27a).

Furthermore, (28) is a liquid injection bypass circuit for adjusting the degree of superheating of intake gas during cooling/heating operation, and the liquid injection bypass circuit (
28) includes an injection solenoid valve (28a) that opens and closes in conjunction with the on/off of the compressor (11), and an injection solenoid valve (28a) that opens and closes in accordance with the degree of superheating of the intake gas detected by the temperature-sensitive cylinder (2b). A regulated automatic expansion valve (28b) is provided.

In Fig. 2, (HPS) is a high pressure switch for protecting the compressor, and (sp) is a service port.

The actuators of the electric expansion valves (16), (41), fans (4a), (14a), etc. are configured to be controlled by a controller (5), etc., which will be described later.

FIG. 3 shows the controller (5) in the indoor unit (B), and (51) is the central processing unit C.
The CPU (51) has an address bus (
52a) via address buffer y (52b) to user ROM (53a) system ROM (53b)
, RAM (53c), EEPROM (53d),
Address decoder (53e) and two I10 ports (
53f) and (53g) are connected, and the above CPU (51
) address signals are respectively user ROM (53a)
etc. Furthermore, the above CPU (
51) are connected to the user ROM (53a), system ROM (53b), RAM (53c), and E through a data buffer (54b) by a data bus (54a).
EPROM (53d) and I10 port (53f)
, (53g) are connected to each other, and are configured to exchange data signals between the CPU (51) and each user ROM (53a).

The CPU (51) also has a control bus (5
5a), one I10 port (53g), etc. are connected via the bus controller (55b) to exchange control signals.

The EEPROM (53d) is a writable and erasable non-volatile storage means, and stores operating data of the outdoor unit (A) and the indoor unit (B) in the event of a power outage, for example, information on the operating compressor (11a) that has been started. or (1l
b> etc. are transferred and stored from the RAM (53C), and
An operation flag, which is an operation signal, and a compressor flag, which is a compressor drive signal and a compressor stop signal, are provided. - On the other hand, when the outdoor unit (A) and the indoor unit (B) are put into operation by an operation switch (not shown), the CPU (51) stores the EEFROM (51).
3d), or set the operation flag, while the stop switch (not shown) turns off the outdoor unit (3d).
A) and a writing means (51a) that resets the operation flag of the EEFROM (53d) when the operation of the indoor unit (B) is stopped, and a writing means (51a) that resets the operation flag of the EEFROM (53d) when the compressor (11) is in the driving state. Writes a signal, i.e., sets the compressor flag, while the compressor (
11) comes to a stopped state, the above EEPROM (5
Compressor writing means (51b) is configured to write a stop signal in 3d), that is, to reset the compressor flag. Further, the CPU (51) includes a determining means (51c) for determining whether or not the operation flag and the compressor flag are set, and when the determining means (51c) derives the operation flag -1 and the compressor flag -〇. ,
An operating means (51d) for automatically operating the outdoor unit (A) and the indoor unit (B) is configured. Furthermore, the CPU (51) includes a determining means (51c).
When the operation flag -1 and the compressor Waragu 1 are derived, the outdoor unit (A) is kept on standby for a predetermined period of time, for example, 4 minutes to maintain the stopped state, and the air conditioner (1) is set to the operating state, A standby operation means (51e) is configured to drive the outdoor unit (A) after four minutes have elapsed.

In addition, in the controller (5), one I10
The boat (53f) has an input terminal (56a) for AC power, etc.
and the output terminal (56b) is connected to the other I10 boat (53
g) is connected to an input terminal (56c) for temperature signals detected by the temperature sensors (THI) to (TH2), and a clock signal is input from the clock circuit (57a) to the CPU (51). ing. Further, a communication signal processing circuit (57b) is connected to the data bus (54a), and the signal processing circuit (57b) is connected to a transmission circuit (57c).
The signal processing circuit (57b) and the outdoor unit (A) are connected to the controller (not shown) of the outdoor unit (A') to send and receive data signals via the transmission circuit (57c). A processor (57d) is connected.

The transmission processor (57d) is connected to the control panel (58) to send and receive various switching signals, and is also connected to the indoor electronic expansion valve (41) via the interface (57e) to the signal processing circuit (57b). )
and an inverter (
3a) to exchange control signals. Also, from the address decoder (53e), EE
A select signal (C5) such as FROM (53d) is output.

Next, the operation of the air conditioner (1) will be explained.

First, in the cooling/heating operation of the air conditioner (1), each indoor unit (B), (B)... uses the indoor heat exchanger (4), (4) according to the set temperature in each room.

... refrigerant flow rate or throttle and indoor fan (4a).

(4a), . . . air volume is controlled. On the other hand, the outdoor unit (A) is the indoor unit (B), (B).

...The refrigerant flow rate of the outdoor heat exchanger (14) and the capacity of the compressor (11) are controlled according to the operating state, and appropriate operation control is performed according to the air conditioning load in each room.

Next, claims (1) and (2) regarding start/stop operations.
The structure and operation of the invention will be explained based on the control flow shown in FIG. 4.

First, the operation starts with the outdoor unit (A) and the indoor unit (B) stopped by the stop switch on the control panel (58).

Then, when the power is turned on, a power-on processing routine is started, and in step 5T21, the EEPROM (5
The stored data is retrieved from step 3d), and the process moves to step 5T22, where the determining means (51c) determines whether or not the driving flag DF is set. Then, when the power switch is turned on manually, the EEPROM (53d) is initialized, etc., so from step 5T22 to step 5T.
23, the operation at power-on is started.

On the other hand, during normal operation, a normal operation processing routine is started, and in step 5T31 it is determined whether the outdoor unit (A) and the indoor unit (B) are being operated;
If the driver is driving, the process moves to step 5T32, and it is determined whether or not the driving flag DF is set. If not, the process moves to step 5T33, where the EEPROM (53
The operation signal is written in step d), and the process moves to step 5T34, where the writing means (51a) sets the operation flag DF. after that,
Proceeding to step 5T35, it is determined whether or not the compressor (11) is driving, and if it is driving, step 5T
36, it is determined whether or not the compressor flag CON is set, and if it is not set, the process goes to step 5T37.
Step 5T38 writes the compressor drive signal to the EEFROM (53d), and writes the compressor drive signal to the EEFROM (53d).
1b) sets the compressor flag CON, step 5
The process moves to T39, where normal operation continues and the above-described operations are repeated.

In addition, during the above normal operation, if the operation of the outdoor unit (A) and the indoor unit (B) is stopped, step 5
From T31, the process moves to step 5T40, and it is determined whether or not the driving flag DF is set. If it is, the process moves to step 5T41, and since the driving state has become a stopped state, a driving stop signal is written in the EEPROM (53d). After the writing means (51a) resets the driving flag DF in step 5T42, the process moves to step 5T35, while in step 5T40, the driving flag DF is reset.
is reset, that is, when the operation continues to stop, the determination is No, and the step 5T is
40, the process moves to step 5T35.

Further, during the above normal operation, when the compressor (11) stops driving, step 5T43 starts from step 5T35.
Then, it is determined whether or not the compressor flag CON is set. If it is set, the process moves to step 5T44, and since the state has changed from the driving state to the stopped state, the EEPROM is
Write a drive stop signal to (53d), step 5T45
After moving to and resetting the compressor flag CON,
While proceeding to the above step 5T39, the above step 5T4
In step 3, when the compressor flag CON is reset, that is, when the drive continues to be stopped, the determination becomes No, and the process moves from step 5T43 to step 5T39.

That is, during normal operation, the operation flag DF is set when the outdoor unit (A) and the indoor unit (B) are operated, and is reset when they are stopped.
When driven, the compressor flag C″ON is set,
It will reset when it stops.

During this normal operation, when the power is cut off due to a power outage and then restored, the data stored in the EEPROM (53d) is retrieved in step 5T21 of the power-on processing routine described above, and in step 5T22, the determination means (51c) is The set state of the driving flag DF is determined, and when it is reset, the process moves directly to step 5723 to start power-on operation, while when it is set, the process moves from step 5T22 to step 5T24, and the driving means (51
d) sets the driving instruction signal. Then step 5
Proceeding to T25, the determining means (51c) determines whether or not the compressor flag CON is set, and when the compressor flag CON is reset, that is, when the power outage occurs while the compressor (11) is stopped, the determination means (51c) determines whether or not the compressor flag CON is set. When the power is on, the process moves from step 5T25 to step 5T23, and the operating means (51d) sets the outdoor unit (A) and the indoor unit (B) to the operating state and starts power-on operation,
To automatically operate an outdoor unit (A) and an indoor unit (B).

On the other hand, in step 5T25, when the compressor flag CON is set, that is, the compressor (
11) is operating, the determination is YES for power restoration, and the process moves to step 5T26, where the standby operation means (51e) sends an internal power-on signal to the outdoor unit (A), and the outdoor unit (A) is turned on. A) for a predetermined period of time, e.g. 4
It is held in the stopped state for a minute, and then the process moves to step 5T23, where the power-on operation is started. In other words, if a power outage occurs while the compressor (11) is running, when power is restored, the compressor (11) will be stopped until the pressure in the refrigerant circuit is equalized, the indoor unit (B) will be in operation, and the outdoor unit (A) will be in operation. ) will be put into operation after 4 minutes have elapsed and will automatically resume operation.

Therefore, EEPROM (53
d) By storing an operating signal indicating that the compressor (11) is in operation and a drive signal and a stop signal of the compressor (11), when the power is restored after a power outage, the above-mentioned operating signal and compressor stop signal are memorized. Since the operation starts automatically, the air conditioning operation can be restarted quickly, and the air conditioning function can be improved. Especially in the case of air conditioning in computer rooms,
Operation will be stopped only during the power outage, improving reliability. Furthermore, it is possible to reliably prevent maintenance that is mistaken for malfunction.

Furthermore, when the power is restored after being cut off, including a momentary power outage, the compressor (11) will not be driven until the pressure in the refrigerant circuit is equalized, so an overload will be applied when the compressor (11) starts up. This can be reliably prevented, and the above compressor (1
No overcurrent flows to the motor (1), and the compressor (1)
The air conditioner (1) can be automatically operated while performing the start-up compensation described in (1).

In addition, although each of the above embodiments has been described with respect to a multi-type air conditioner (1), it may also include one indoor unit (B).

In addition to the EEPROM (53d), storage means include
Any nonvolatile memory that can be written to and erased may be used.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the invention according to claims (1) and (2). 2 to 4 show examples,
Fig. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the air conditioner, Fig. 3 is a control block diagram of the indoor unit controller, and Fig. 4 is an operation/control block diagram of the indoor unit controller.
It is a control flow diagram of a stop operation. (1)...Air conditioner, (4)...Indoor heat exchanger, (5)...Controller, (11)...Compressor,
(14)...Outdoor heat exchanger, (51)...CPU,
(51a)...Writing means, (51b)...Writing means for compressor, (51c)...Discrimination means, (51d)...
... Operating means, C51e) - Standby operating means, (53
d)-EEPROM0

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An air conditioner (1) comprising an outdoor unit (A) and an indoor unit (B) and a compressor (11) installed in the outdoor unit (A) is controlled by a control signal from a controller (5). In the control device of the air conditioner, a non-volatile storage means (5) in which control data can be written and erased
3d), and a writing means (51a) for writing an operation signal into the storage means (53d) by operating the air conditioner (1).
), compressor writing means (51b) for writing a compressor drive signal by driving the compressor (11) and a compressor stop signal by stopping the drive into the storage means (53d); a discriminating means (51c) for reading data stored in the memory means (53d) and discriminating the operating signal, the compressor drive signal and the compressor stop signal;
) derives an operation signal and a compressor stop signal from the data stored in the storage means (53d), the air conditioner (1
), and when the discriminating means (51c) derives the operating signal and the compressor drive signal from the data stored in the storage means (53d), at least the compressor (11) is stopped for a predetermined period of time. A control device for an air conditioner, comprising: a standby operating means (51e) for setting the air conditioner (1) to an operating state so as to maintain the air conditioner (1) in the operating state and drive it after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. (2) The air conditioner (1) is equipped with an outdoor unit (A) and an indoor unit (B), and the outdoor unit (A) is provided with a compressor (11), using a control signal from the controller (5). In a method for controlling an air conditioner, a non-volatile storage means (5) in which control data can be written and erased is provided.
3d) for writing the operation signal of the air conditioner (1) into the means (5).
1a) is written by operating the air conditioner (1), and the compressor writing means (51b) writes a compressor drive signal or a compressor stop signal by driving or stopping the drive of the compressor (11). , Discrimination means (
51c) reads the stored data in the storage means (53d), determines the operation signal, the compressor drive signal, and the compressor stop signal, and derives the operation signal and the compressor stop signal from the stored data. 51d) sets the air conditioner (1) to the operating state, while the determining means (51d) sets the air conditioner (1) to the operating state.
1c) derives the operating signal and the compressor drive signal, the standby operating means (51e) holds at least the compressor (11) in a stopped state for a predetermined period of time and sets the air conditioner (1) to the operating state, and the above-mentioned A method for controlling an air conditioner, comprising driving a compressor (11) after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.